Crilly Park, home of Atherton Laburnum Rovers based in Greater Manchester. This would be my final Shirebrook Town match for the foreseeable as the next day would be the start of a new chapter in my life, moving to University. 21st September 2013 and Shirebrook have been drawn away at Atherton Laburnum Rovers in the FA Vase. I had purposefully made my uni moving day to the day after so I could watch this match, don’t let me down Shirebrook!
We arrived at the ground and made our way to the clubhouse to pass the time before the match. £5 at the turnstiles! Hell Yeah!! We raised the Shirebrook flag in the stand when a young Atherton fan came and ripped it down and was unapologetic! Hopefully not a sign of things to come from the home fans. Thankfully no damage done to the flag and we raised it again and this time it stayed for the whole match.
Kick Off! A lively start to the game for Shirebrook who enjoyed some early pressure but as the game went on, the easier the task at hand for the Atherton defence, the real danger posed by the home side was on the break as they got in behind Shirebrook’s defence numerous times but to no avail. The Shirebrook Boys in fine voice once again was starting to irritate a small handful of Atherton fans who began to raise their eyebrows at us. Not sure why, we’re at a football match not a cinema! We’re loud and proud! The first half came to end with the score at 0-0.
Second half kicked off and a few wild challenges from Shirebrook gave the less than impressed Atherton fans reason to voice their disapproval. As the game rolled on, the more and more Atherton started to grow and were creating chance after chance and getting closer each time, not nice to watch if you’re a Shirebrook fan.
A free kick awarded in a dangerous crossing position for Atherton. Heart in your mouth moment for Shirebrook fans. The ball was crossed in and confusion in the Shirebrook defence saw the keeper commit but fail to get to the ball and Kristian Holt headed home making us Shirebrook fans all as sick as each other as the Atherton fans celebrated in front of us wildly.
In stoppage time Shirebrook won a free kick in a crossing position which saw everyone in the penalty area including the goalkeeper. The ball was whipped in and a crowd of players jumped for the ball, the keeper committed… he failed to punch it! GET IN… NO!!! It went just wide and that was the last action of the match, Shirebrook were out! Game over!
FT: Atherton Laburnum Rovers 1-0 Shirebrook Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 4/10 – As much as the Shirebrook Boys sung for Shirebrook, it wasn’t the most pleasant of atmospheres.
- The Ground: 3/10 – The ground was quite run down and I have personally been in better club houses.
- Expense: 6/10 – £5 to get in is a steal! But I didn’t enjoy the game as much as I wanted to.
- Overall Experience: 2/10 – With the flag being torn down and the last minute winner breaking my spirits, it wasn’t the best experience by a long shot.
15/40